Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Concealed Carry Laws in North Carolina
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to bear arms. With few exceptions, North Carolina residents are allowed to own firearms. A firearm is a “handgun, shotgun, or rifle which expels a projectile by action of an explosion. When you own a firearm in North Carolina, you must obtain a concealed carry permit if you wish to keep it in a concealed manner. Concealment could be in a pocket or purse, glove compartment, under the seat of a vehicle, in your waistband under clothing, or any other place where it is not readily seen by others.
North Carolina Law Allows Concealed Carry
Residents of North Carolina are not required to obtain a permit to own or possess a firearm in our state. A person has the right to carry a gun as long as it is out in the open. That means that the weapon must be in plain view to others. North Carolina General Statutes 14-415, also known as the Concealed Handgun Permit, Article 54B, requires gun owners to obtain a permit in order to carry a firearm in a concealed manner. This includes the concealed possession of a handgun.
Requirement to Obtain a Concealed Carry Permit
A person who qualifies for a concealed gun permit may apply for a permit through the local sheriff in the jurisdiction where they reside. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 21 years of age, with no physical or mental infirmity that prevents safe gun handling. They must be legally allowed to possess a firearm. In addition, the applicant must complete an 8-hour approved firearms safety and training course. The applicant must pay a fee and pass a background check. The sheriff may deny a permit if the applicant is a felon, is a drug user, is a fugitive from justice, or was dishonorably discharged from the service.
Senate Bill 50
North Carolina Senate Bill 50, also known as “Freedom to Carry NC,” is an act that would allow gun owners to conceal carry without having to obtain a permit. The legislature passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Josh Stein. The legislature could override the governor’s veto if they get enough votes to do so. The bill would allow any person who owns a firearm to legally carry it in a concealed manner without any type of permit. There continue to be ongoing discussions in the North Carolina legislature.
Additional Information
When stopped by police, gun owners must always immediately inform a member of law enforcement that they have a firearm. The police will take steps to remove the firearm for safekeeping during the interaction. As long as you are in legal possession of the firearm, you will get the weapon back once the police interaction is complete. If you have a concealed carry permit from another state, North Carolina generally recognizes it through a reciprocity agreement. If you have concerns about a firearm, you should check online or with your local police.
Gun charges can be serious, and a conviction could result in a number of penalties. If you are facing any type of criminal charges, you do not need to go it alone. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation with our legal team.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/s50
https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/byarticle/chapter_14/article_54b.html
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